MInutes

City Commission Work Session · 2026-05-14 · minutes

The City Commission held a Work Session on May 14, 2026, to discuss the Winter Park Grant Master Plan. The plan aims to centralize the city's grant process and strengthen interdepartmental coordination to increase funding opportunities and support long-term priorities. This has improved collaboration, streamlined the grant process, reduced departmental workload, and enabled the city to pursue larger, more competitive funding opportunities tied to Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) and other city initiatives. Approximately $42.5 million in grant funding has been secured since 2023 for projects related to stormwater, wastewater, resiliency, and water quality. Several pending applications and ongoing basin study planning efforts are also tied to future projects. Hale Innovation is supporting the city's grant pursuits, focusing on grant success rates, the value of the grant master plan, and maintaining proactive communication. Funded and pending projects highlighted include the Howell Branch stormwater pond project, and wastewater and tourism development funding. The Commission discussed compliance requirements, funding limitations, and the importance of updated master plans, CIP schedules, and coordinated communication. The Commission expressed appreciation for staff's grant efforts and continued collaboration in pursuing external funding opportunities for Winter Park projects and initiatives. The meeting was adjourned at 4:49 p.m.